How to Remove Ford Dash Panels
by Allen Moore
Removing the dash trim on your Ford may seem like a task best left for professionals. With no visible fasteners and the breakable nature of plastic, many shy away from dash trim removal. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you must undertake the disassembly of your dash trim, with a few tricks executed with patience and care, you can have your dash trim removed in no time. Avoid taking it off too many times, however, as the plastic weakens each time and becomes more susceptible to breaking.
Step 1
Determine which panel you need to remove and slide your fingers into the air vent located in that panel. If you are removing the bezel around the stereo and environment controls, look to the bottom or top for a lip you can grip with your fingertips. In extreme cases, you may need to use a flat head screwdriver, but this greatly increases your chances of damaging the trim.
Step 2
Slip your fingers into the vent or under the lip, if you are working on the bezel, and pull away from the dash firmly but gently. The trim clips holding that area to the dash will pop out suddenly so be careful not to pull back too far when the clips release.
Step 3
Slide your fingers under the loosened trim area and work towards the area where the trim is still flush with the dash, pulling it away in the same manner as you did in Step 2. It is best to look behind the trim at each stage as certain years and models are equipped with a fastener here or there that will need to be removed with the socket set, screwdrivers or Torx sockets.
Step 4
Set the trim aside that you removed in Step 3 and move on to the next piece, repeating Steps 2 and 3 until all necessary trim areas are removed.
Step 5
Reinstall the trim in the opposite manner of removal. You can gently pound the trim clips back into place with the side of your fist. The trim clips have metal sheathes that rest on them to secure them inside the clip cavity. Make sure these sheathes are in place before reinstalling the trim panels.
References
Things You'll Need
- Flat head screwdriver (optional)
- Socket set
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Torx sockets (optional)
Writer Bio
Allen Moore's career includes awards in poetry and creative fiction, published lyrics, fiction books and nonfiction articles as well as a master certification in automotive service from the Ford Motor Company. Moore is a contributing writer for RF365.com and various other websites, a ghostwriter for Rainbow Writing and has over a dozen works of fiction currently in print.
